FORMER NHL PLAYER NICK PALMIERI TO COACH 18U TEAM

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The Utica Jr Comets are pleased to announce Nick Palmieri as the new acting head coach of the Utica Jr Comets 18U team. Palmieri’s 15 years of professional hockey experience will bring invaluable knowledge to the team.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Utica Comets organization and get an opportunity to help young players develop their skills and further their hockey careers,” said Palmieri. “I feel I can provide the kids with knowledge from my own personal experiences, as well as the knowledge obtained from my coaches throughout the years.”

"Coach Palmieri is an invaluable addition to the Jr Comets staff. To have a former local player who is just recently removed from the game after climbing the ranks all the way to the National Hockey League is a special opportunity for the players on the 18U team,” said Nicole Kirnan, Director of Junior Hockey for the Jr Comets. “Besides sharing his vast on ice knowledge of the sport, Palmieri will undoubtedly be an incredible mentor and have many experiences to convey that will help shape the future for each of his players."

Palmieri, a native of the Mohawk Valley, started his hockey journey playing for Clinton youth hockey and the former Syracuse Stars. In 2004, he left the Mohawk Valley to attend Northwood Prep School in Lake Placid, NY. After one season at Northwood, he transitioned his game to the OHL where he played four seasons between the Erie Otters and Belleville Bulls.

After his second season in the OHL, Palmieri was drafted 79th overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. He then went on to skate in 87 NHL games with both the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild tallying 13 goals and 12 assists (13-12-25). He also appeared in 212 AHL games from 2007 to 2013 tallying 49 goals and 46 assists. At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Palmieri elected to play in the DEL in Germany for two seasons and then in the EBEL in Austria where he finished his playing career in 2017.

For more information on the 18U Jr Comets and to register for camps click HERE.